Helen Gertrude Skelly
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth Date: 25 Jan 1912 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Christening:
Death: 11 Mar 1968 - Methodist Hospital, Houston, Harris, Texas, United States
Burial: 13 Mar 1968 - Metairie Cemetery, Metairie, Jefferson, Louisiana, USA
Cause of Death: Cerebral Thrombosis
Parents
Father: Joseph Patrick Skelly
Mother: Gertrude H. Morrison
Spouses and Children
1. *Joseph Stephen D'Antoni
Marriage: 19 Oct 1933 - Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Notes
General:
Per New Orleans Birth Index:Marriage Notes (Joseph Stephen D'Antoni)
January 25, 1912
SKELLY, HELEN GERTRUDE
Mother: MORRISON, GERTRUDE
Father: SKELLY, JOSEPH P
Orleans parishPage: 903 Volume: 144
Per 1930 US Census 4/3/1930 217 Delaronde St, Ward 15, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
J. P. Skelly is the 40 year old white male head of household, who owns his home, valued at $9,000, and a radio set. All members of this household were born in Louisiana, as were their parents [except Mary Morrison, as per below]. J. P. is an employer and contractor in the paving business, and is not a veteran. His wife is 41 year old Gertrude Skelly. When they were first married he was 21 and she was 22. There are 6 children, all in school: 18 year old daughter, Helen Skelly; 15 year old daughter, Florence Skelly; 14 year old daughter, Margaret Skelly; 12 year old daughter, Patricia Skelly; 10 year old son, James T. Skelly; and 7 year old daughter, Mary E. Skelly.
Living with the family is widowed mother-in-law 62 year old Mary E. Morrison, whose father was born in Ireland, her mother in Northern Ireland. John Morrison is the 36 year old divorced brother-in-law. Also living in the home is aunt Mary Morrison, 74 years old, single.
Per 1940 US Census 4/22/1940 1805 State St, Ward 14, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
Joseph S. D'Antonia is the 32 year old white male head of household, who rents his home for $130 a month. He was born in Louisiana and lived in the same area in 1939, as did his wife. Educated through 5 years of college, he works as an assistant professor of tropical medicine at a teaching university, working 40 hours the last week of March, and in 42 weeks of work in 1939 earned $600. His wife (the informant for this census), 28 year old Helen D'Antonia, finished 1 year of college. Their daughter, Maura D'Antonia, is 4 years old. The family has living with them a private duty baby's nurse, Anna Steinada, who works 60 hours a week, and earned $300 for 52 weeks work in 1939.
Per Obituary in the Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) March 12, 1968 Page 2
N.O. CIVIC, SOCIAL LEADER IS DEAD
Brief Illness Is Fatal to Mrs. D'Antoni
Mrs. Joseph S. D'Antoni, New Orleans civic and social leader, died Monday at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Tex., after a brief illness.
Mrs. D'Antoni, 56, was the wife of the chairman of the board of Standard Fruit and Steamship Co. and a member of the New Orleans Dock Board.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. from the House of Bultman, 3338 St. Charles, followed by Requiem Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery.
A native of New Orleans, Mrs. D'Antoni was the former Helen Gertrude Skelly. She was a graduate of the Academy of Holy Angels and attended Newcomb College.
Mrs. D'Antoni was active in numerous civic and social groups. They included the New Orleans County Club, Metairie Country Club, New Orleans Spring Fiesta Association, New Orleans Garden Society, New Orleans Opera House Association, New Orleans Association for Retarded Children.
Franc-Amerique de la Louisiane, St. Elizabeth's Guild, Orleans Parish Medical Society Auxiliary, Touro Infirmary Auxiliary, New Orleans Jazz Club, Loyola Salon of Music, Ladies of the Madonna, and the Altar Society of Holy Name of Jesus Church.
Mrs. D'Antoni's late father, Joseph P. Skelly, was a city councilman for 16 years in the 1930s and 1940s.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. D'Antoni is survived by her mother, Mrs. Joseph P. Skelly; three children, Mrs. Harold D. Hawkins of Falls Church, Va., Joseph S. D'Antoni Jr. and Patrick S. D'Antoni; four sisters, Miss Patricia Skelly, Mrs. Andrew J. Kreller Jr., Mrs. T. O. Hotard Jr. and Mrs. Paul D. Cordes of Mandeville, La.; one brother, James T. Skelly, and five grandchildren.
Per Obituary in the Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) March 13, 1968 Page 2
D'ANTONI -- At Houston, Texas, on Monday, March 11, 1968, at 1:30 o'clock a.m., HELEN GERTRUDE SKELLY, beloved wife of Joseph S. D'Antoni, M.D., mother of Mrs. Harold D. Hawkins of Falls Church, Va.; Joseph S. D'Antoni Jr., and Patrick S. D'Antoni, daughter of Mrs. Joseph P. Skelly, and the late Honorable Joseph P. Skelly, sister of Mrs. Andrew J. Keller Jr., Mrs. T. O. Hotard Jr., Miss Patricia Skelly, James T. Skelly, and Mrs. Paul D. Cordes; also survived by 5 grandchildren; age 56 years; a native of this city.
Services from The House of Bultman, St. Charles ave. at Louisiana Ave., on Wednesday morning, March 13, 1968, at 9:30 o'clock. Followed by Requiem High Mass at Most Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6363 St. Charles Avenue.
Interment in Metairie Cemetery.
Masses or contributions to Cardio Vascular Research, to the DeBakey Medical Foundation, 1200 Moursune Avenue, Houston, Texas 77025, preferred.
Friends may call on Tuesday between the hours of o'clock p.m. and 9 o'clock p.m.
Per Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) May 21, 1933 Page 31
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Patrick Skelly announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Helen Skelly, to Dr. Joseph S. D'Antoni, son of Mr. and Mrs. Salvador D'Antoni of this city, the date of the wedding to be announced later. The announcement will claim much interest among a wide circle of friends of the young couple in New Orleans.
Per Daily Herald (Biloxi, Mississippi) October 19, 1933 Page 1
100 Police Needed To Handle Crowds at Skelly Wedding
New Orleans, Oct. 19. (AP) A squad of 100 police were pressed into service today to handle a jam of thousands which swarmed on the Holy Name of Mary Catholic church in Algiers to witness the wedding of Miss Helen Gertrude Skelly, daughter of City Commissioner and Mrs. Joseph P. Skelly, to Dr. Joseph Steven D'Antoni, well known local physician.
Only a very small percentage of the crowd managed to find places in the church and hundreds of others milled about the structure during the ceremony. Traffic was tied up for blocks as the crowd sought a glimpse of the bride. Ferry service to the Algiers west bank was demoralized by the crash of automobiles.
Rev. Father T. J. Larkin, who baptised the bride as an infant, married the young couple. Miss Skelly wore white velvet with pearl medallions from her mother's wedding gown and carried a great sheaf of calla lillies brought fresh from Mexico by plane this morning. There were seven bridesmaids.
After the wedding there was a public reception in the Venetian room of the Roosevelt hotel and a repitition of the traffic jam in the area surrounding the hotel. Several rooms adjacent to the ballroom were necessary to display the wedding gifts.
Dr. and Mrs. D'Antoni left later in the day for New York.
Per New Orleans States October 19, 1933 Page 1
THRONG SEES MISS SKELLY WED DOCTOR
The same priest who not so very many years ago poured the baptismal waters on her forehead in the Holy Name of Mary church in Algiers as she was held tenderly in the arms of her godparents, clothed
in swaddling clothes, Thursday at noon in the same church, married Helen Gertrude Skelly, clothed in the wreath and veil of a bride to Dr. Joseph Steven D'Antoni in one of the largest wedding ceremonies within the memory of the present generation. The priest was Father T. J. Larkin.
Miss Skelly is the daughter of Joseph Patrick Skelly, commissioner of public property, whose big Irish
smile is known to practically every man, woman and child in the city. Dr. D'Antoni is the son of Salvadore D'Antoni, one of the founders of the vast D'Antoni-Vaccaro fortune which is reputed one of the largest fortunes in the South.
The father and mother of the bride as well as the father and mother of the bridegroom were present at
lthe ceremony Thursday. From every walk in public and civic life came the crowd that occupied every
available bit of space in the pretty Catholic church of Algiers. A detail of 100 policemen was necessary to handle the great crowd which packed the church and the multitude which surged for blocks around the church in an effort to get a glimpse of the attractive bride and her proud bridegroom. '
Thousands Invited
A special corps of clerks was necessary to mail out the thousands of invitations to the wedding. The
friends of the Skellys and the D'Antonis are legion and a sincere effort was made not to overlook a single individual in extending invitations to the wedding. Several days ago a blanket invitation was extended by the bride's parents to attend the wedding and the reception which was to follow in the Venetian room of The Roosevelt. Traffic was jammed on the ferries crossing the river at the Algiers landing and it was with difficulty that traffic progressed on the west bank of the Mississippi. Hardly a person could recall a wedding which attracted such widespread interest or which drew such a crowd of persons to the actual ceremony.
It was undoubtedly New Orleans' greatest and largest wedding of the present generation.
The bride was something lovely to behold as she was escorted up the aisle of the church on the arm of
her father. She wore a gown of wedding ring white velvet, whose only two ornaments were two shoulder medallions of pearls which had been worn by the bride's mother on her own wedding gown. In her arms she carried a great bouquet of calla lilies which arrived by airplane fram Mexico Thursday morning.
Followed by Bridesmaids
The bride and her father were followed by the bridesmaids, wearing gowns of Olympic blue taffeta. Miss
Florence Skelly was her sister's maid of honor; Mrs. Rosina D'Antoni, sister of the bridegroom, was the matron of honor. Other bridesmaids were Misses Margaret Skelly, Harriet Muntz, Lolita Therlot, Helen
D'Antoni and Sarah D'Antonl. All carried old fashioned bouquets of Talisman roses.
As the bridal party marched up the aisle of white gladioli and huge clusters of blooms to the altar, which
was set off against a background of crocus and arica palms and blanketed in lilies of the valley. Mrs. Lois
Martin, organist of the church, played the wedding march. Carmen Nuccio sang "Ave Marla."
Waiting at the sanctuary rail was the bridegroom, attended by Augusto Miceli as his best man and Dr.
Shewen Slaughter, Myles Morrison, Skelly Wright, Dr. Charles Odom, Dr. Edward Landry and Dr. Pascal Danna as groomsmen.
Mrs. Skelly, the mother of the bride, was garbed in black velvet. Her white hair was a pleasing contrast. Mrs. D'Antoni, the mother of the groom, wore a combination of black silk and lace.
Thousands Attend
Father Larkin' was assisted in the marriage ceremony by Father E. P. McGrath, who came to New Orleans from Atlanta especially for the ceremony. James Thomas Skelly, a brother of the bride, served as an acolyte at the nuptial mass.
The number of guests who attended the bridal reception was beyond estimation. It ran into the thousands. A continual stream of people walked through the Venetian room of The Roosevelt and extended congratulations to the bride and groom as they stood under a bower in the center of the great hall.
Henry Faust baked the wedding cake. Fifteen dozen eggs were used in the making of the big two-layer cake, baked in the shape of a ring, in the center or which stood a vase from which tall sprays of Lilies of
the Valley nodded. Into the cake had been baked five sterling silver favors - a wishbone, a thimble, a button, a ring and a dime, seven broad white satin ribbons leading from the favors for the ladies of the bridal party to "pull" in the traditional manner at wedding receptions.
Many Wedding Gifts
Wedding gifts were also beyond estimation. They were still arriving by mail, express and special messenger Thursday. The largest gift was a silver service from City Hall employes, each piece given individually and tagged with the name of the donor.
There were gifts of every description, including cocktail sets, bridge lamps, pictures, clocks, crystal de-
canters. books and jewelry.
The city of New Orleans was officially represented at the wedding by Commissioners Frank Gomila,
Fred Earhart and A. Miles Pratt. Mayor T. Semmes Walmsley, who is in Washington, wired his regrets at
this inability to attend the ceremony.
Immediately following the reception Mr. and Mrs. D'Antoni were to leave for New York on the Crescent Limited. They will remain in New York for a short time and will return to New Orleans via Chicago. Upon their return here they will be at home at 1430 Second street.
The romance between Helen Skelly and Dr. D'Antoni began two years ago at the D'Antoni home when the
daughter of the commissioner was introduced to Dr. D'Antoni by Dr. Odom, who Thursday was a member of the bridal party. The chance acquantance budded into romance. The engagement and wedding followed.
Per New Orleans States October 19, 1933 Page 8
Commissioner's Daughter
The marriage of Helen Gertrude Skelly, the oldest of Commissioner and Mrs. Joseph Skelly's four daughters, to Dr. Joseph Steven D'Antoni, young physician and instructor in the Tulane Medical school, was to attract many to the Holy Name of Mary church in Algiers at high noon Thursday. Almost as many
will attend the reception at 2 p. m. at The Roosevelt hotel.
The bride was to be married in the same parish in which her mother when she was Miss Gertrude Morrison was married. And her wedding dress is made with the same medallions of seed pearls that decorated her mother's wedding dress. She will wear a lace handkerchief, brought from Ireland to her by
Mother Xavier who taught her at the Holy Angel's academy.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Salvadore D'Antoni. The marriage is the climax of a two-year
courtship.
Florence Skelly, sister of the bride, will be maid of honor. Mrs. Rosina D'Antoni, sister of the groom, will be matron of honor. Lolita Theriot, Harriet Muntz, Helen D'Antoni. sister of the bridegroom; Margaret
Skelly, sister of the bride. and Sarah D'Antoni will all act as bridesmaids.
Gus Micelli will act as best man. The groomsmen will be Miles Morrison, Skelly Wright, Dr. Shewen Slaughter, Dr. Pascal Danna, Dr. Charles Odom and Dr. Edward Landry.
Father Thomas Larkin, the aged priest who christened the bride, will celebrate the marriage.
Per New Orleans Item October 19, 1933 Page 17
A very prominent wedding of the season was that of Miss Helen Skelly, daughter of Commissioner and Mrs Joseph Patrick SkelIy, to Dr. Joseph Steven D'Antoni, son of Mr. and Mrs. Salvadore D'Antoni, which was solemnized at high noon today at the Holy Name of Mary church in Algiers
The church was beatifully decorated with a profusion of flowers. The altar was set off against a background or crocus and arica palms, the altar itself being blanketed in lilies of the valley, while the central aisle was banked in white kladiolas, with huge clusters of these blooms at every second pew. Father Thomas Larkin, who christened the bride, performed the ceremony.
The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a stuning bridal gown, trimmed in seed pearl medallions. Her attendants included her sister, Miss Florence Skelly, who was maid of honor, and the bridesmaids were Misses Margaret Skelly, another sister; Sarah D'Antoni, Helen D'Antoni, Harriet Muntz and Lolita Theriot.
Mr. Gus Micelli was best man and the groomsmen were Messrs. Skelly Wright, Miles Morrison; Drs. Pascal Danna, Edward Landry, Charles Odom and Shewen Slaughter.
A large reception followed the ceremony at the Roosevelt hotel.
Per Times-Picayune October 20, 1933 Page 3
[Photo] Following their wedding Thursday noon in the Holy Name of Mary church in Algiers, Dr. Joseph Steven D'Antoni and his bride, the former Helen Gertrude Skelly, daughter of Commissioner of Public Property Joseph P. Skelly, received the felicitations of thousands of friends at a reception in the Venetian room at The Rooselvelt. Left to right on the dias are: Mrs. D'Antoni, the Rev. T. J. Larkin, S. M., who performed the marriage service; the Rev. H. T. Hayes, who assisted in the ceremony, and Dr. D'Antoni. Part of the throng which filled the Venetian room is shown surrounding the bridal party.
Per New Orleans Marriage Index:
October 1933
Bride: SKELLY, HELEN GERTRUDE
Groom: DANTONI, JOEPH STEVEN
Orleans parish Page: 1429 Volume: 53
Per "Louisiana, Parish Marriages, 1837-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ8-CD35 : 15 October 2015), Salvadore D'Antoni in entry for Joseph Steven D'Antoni and Helen Gertrude OKelly, 16 Oct 1933; citing Orleans, Louisiana, United States, various parish courthouses, Louisiana; FHL microfilm 2,294,915.
Name: Joseph Steven D'Antoni Titles and Terms: M D
Event Type:Marriage Event Date: 16 Oct 1933
Event Place: Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Gender: Male Age: 26 Birth Year (Estimated): 1907
Father's Name: Salvadore D'Antoni
Mother's Name:Mary Vaccaro
Spouse's Name:Miss Helen Gertrude OKelly
Spouse's Gender: Female Spouse's Age: 21 Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1912
Spouse's Father's Name: Joseph P O'Kelly
Spouse's Mother's Name: Gertrude Morrison